Technology‐based contingency management and e‐cigarettes during the initial weeks of a smoking quit attempt

Martner et al. (2019) tested if adding online cash rewards to e-cigarettes helps adults quit smoking.

Everyone got e-cigs. Half also earned small money for uploading videos that showed smoke-free breath tests.

The team used an alternating plan: some weeks rewards were on, some off, to see the difference.

E-cigs alone gave about 30% smoke-free days. Adding the cash reward did not push the number higher.

In other words, the tech token system did not boost the already modest success of vaping.

Dallery et al. (2015) predicted that pairing digital monitors with quick rewards should lift health habits. The new trial shows the idea works in practice, yet the lift can be zero when the reward is too small.

Stagnone et al. (2025) saw big gains when kids with ADHD got coin rewards inside a VR game. The difference: their coins plus praise felt large and exciting to the kids, while Martner’s $5-$15 gift cards felt tiny to adult smokers. Same tech-tool, different value, different outcome.

Schieltz et al. (2020) proved ABA can travel through screens. Martner adds one more vote that telehealth delivery is doable, but reminds us the consequence still has to matter to the client.

If you run a remote token system, check that the payoff is worth the effort for that client group. A reward that excites a child may bore an adult. Pilot with one or two people first, then raise the stakes or add praise until you see change.